lhight1-eng1c-summer2017

[lhight1-eng1c-summer2017]

ENG 1C

Hight

IN-CLASS FINAL EXAM

(SCHEDULED FOR 8/2/17)

          This last assignment will be an interpretation and critical analysis of a cultural phenomenon, so you will have to take a stance on this cultural phenomenon.  In this case, you will be writing about a show called The Eccentrics, specifically the first episode from season one (2015) called “Living Like Tarzan”.  Please answer the following questions:

Why does Dewet Du Toit     want to be Tarzan, and what motivates him to become his childhood     hero?  How does his backstory,     interviews with his parents, friend, etc. prove your take on Dewet's     desire to be Tarzan?  What parts of     the episode prove your analysis and evaluation of this eccentric?

Has Dewet truly become Tarzan?  In other words, is he the “real deal,”     and has he really become king of the jungle?  Why or why not?  What parts of the episode prove your     take on Dewet's success at becoming Tarzan?

Does the fact that Dewet     goes back into the city a couple times a week, renting a room in his     aunt's house, somehow tarnish or ruin his image as Tarzan?  Is he cheating?  Why or why not?  

Why does he do speaking     engagements at schools?  What about     his dream of making a Hollywood Tarzan movie?  Do these two factors make you question     Dewet's dream of being Tarzan?  Does     he simply crave celebrity fame?  Why     or why not?

After watching this     episode, does “Living Like Tarzan” present an inspirational story about     chasing your dreams?  Should we     admire Dewet?  Or does this show     have a more sarcastic tone and present him as a joke in some subtle     way?  Is the show doing both     things?  Why?  What parts of the episode prove your     take on the show's presentation of Dewet?

          You do not have to worry about an introduction or conclusion.  I am only interested in how well you analyze.  For this assignment, you have to write at least five paragraphs (at least one paragraph per set of questions) that explain your response to the questions above.  Make sure you defend your response with specific reasons.  There is one more important requirement: you cannot bring anything pre-written (no full sentences or paragraphs).  I want you to write your response during the in-class final.

BASIC REQUIREMENTS:

Please bring in college-ruled lined paper; a blue examination book is not necessary.  I will only accept black or blue ink. You can either print or write in cursive as long as your writing is legible.  Please be aware that this essay must be hand-written.

Please write your name, my name, English 1C, and the due date in the upper left-hand corner of the essay.

Please double space as you write your essay.

I will show the episode at least once or twice on the day of this in-class final.

This final exam is scheduled for Wednesday, August 2nd.  You will have the entire class period to complete this in-class assignment.  Please note: if you do not show up on Wednesday, 8/2, you will not be allowed to write your in-class final on another re-scheduled date unless you provide a written excuse such as a doctor’s note.  In addition, please keep in mind that my deadline to upload your grades for the course is Tuesday, 8/8.

[lhight1-eng1c-summer2017]

Here is what you have to look forward to next week...

Monday (7/31): your research paper is due this coming Monday.  You will also get the opportunity to write a practice in-class final, and I will grade this practice final and hand it back to you this coming Tuesday.

Tuesday (8/1): I will actually show the video that you will actually be analyzing for your actual in-class final, and I will help you prepare for it.  I will also hand out the prompt for this final.

Wednesday (8/2): The in-class final is scheduled for this day.  You will have the full class period to complete your in-class final.

I will have uploaded your grade for the class by Tuesday, 8/8.  If you want your research paper, please email me and I will make arrangements.

[lhight1-eng1c-summer2017]

HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT (DUE 7/27):

In addition to revising your thesis statement in your introduction for your research paper, you will add two body paragraphs.  This means that you will make a particular claim in each body paragraph, which you will reinforce with specific evidence plus either strong logos and ethos built off of that evidence. Furthermore, your body paragraphs must connect to and support your thesis statement.  Please make sure that your partial research paper is typed, double-spaced, and formatted according to MLA (8th edition) rules.  You will be doing a review exercise with these partial research papers.

[lhight1-eng1c-summer2017]

HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT (DUE 7/26):

Please bring your introduction for your research paper.  Your introduction should be typed, double-spaced, and formatted according to MLA (8th edition) rules.  I plan to dismiss class early on 7/26 so that I can look at your intros, particularly your thesis statements.

[lhight1-eng1c-summer2017]

HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT (DUE 7/25):

Please turn in your “Works Cited” page listing the sources that you initially plan to use for your research paper.  Please make sure that your “Works Cited” page is typed and that it follows MLA (8th edition) rules.

[lhight1-eng1c-summer2017]

ENG 1C

Hight

HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT: CHOOSING YOUR TOPIC FOR YOUR RESEARCH PAPER

(DUE 7/24/17)

I would like to first see what topic you are going for, so you just have to write two paragraphs.  In the first paragraph, you just have to explain your topic.  For example, perhaps you want to argue that journalism is dead, that people are not being informed, and so forth.  You want to first define what investigative journalism is (yes, a denotative definition will be helpful).  Then you should explain the importance of investigative journalism and its role in society.  The second paragraph should focus on your argument.  If you find the death of investigative journalism alarming, then please explain why.  Plus, you can argue whether or not investigative journalism has a place in in people’s online/offline lives today, or perhaps you can argue whether or not quality investigative journalism can be squeezed into bite-sized morsels such as youtube videos or should be mainly packaged as entertainment much like The Daily Show.  Please be aware that this assignment should be typed and double-spaced.

This coming Monday, you will meet with me, one-on-one, to discuss your topic.  You only have to write about one topic for this homework assignment.  Nonetheless, I strongly urge you to have one or two back-up topics that you can talk about even though you don’t have to write about them. If I find that your topic is not really appropriate for your research paper, I will ask you to choose another.  

[lhight1-eng1c-summer2017]

ENG 1C

Hight

THE RESEARCH PAPER

(DUE 7/31/17)

           Your major writing assignment will be your research paper.  Please keep in mind that your paper has to be an argumentative paper.  However, instead of writing about a controversial subject (i.e. gun control, legalization of marijuana, etc.), you will write something more along the lines of a cultural critique.  Here are some ideas to get you going:

Horror, disaster, and science fiction films…how do they reflect the fears, insecurities, etc. of our culture in general?  What do they say about the culture of a particular time?

________________ is dead.  Explain how the decline of ________________ is making our culture poorer.  How does the death of ____________________ affect the intelligence and creativity of our culture?

Are youtube videos, video games, tumblr pages, etc. great expressions of art? Have they reached the level of say a great film or a great novel?

Outside Sources:

           Like the other essays, you will be writing an academic essay with an introduction, body, and conclusion, but because this is a research paper, you will need to incorporate several outside sources (books, magazines, websites, etc.) into your paper.  This means that you need to quote or paraphrase certain passages from your sources and write them into your body paragraphs. Your sources will be your evidence that will defend your argument (thesis statement).  As with any paper using outside sources, you will have to cite every source using the MLA (Modern Language Association) format, the 8th edition in particular.

In the case of the research paper for this class, you will be required to cite from at least four outside sources.  You can use physical sources such as “flesh and blood” books or magazines.  However, all of your sources can electronic sources such as ebooks and so forth.  You will also be required to make citations in the text of your body paragraphs as well as attach a “Works Cited” page at the end of your paper.  There is one more thing that I want to mention: I want to discourage you from using any religious texts such as the Bible, Koran, or the Bhagavad Gita.  I respect all faiths, and there cannot be one way to promote a value system.  

           When it comes to in-text citation, I prefer direct quotes because there is no confusion between what is an outside quote and what is your own writing.  Paraphrasing is acceptable, but I strongly dislike summarizing outside sources; the delineation between what are outside sources and what are your own words is too hazy and confusing in regards to summarizing.  The rule of thumb regarding in-text citation is use citation when in doubt.

          There is one more important thing to keep in mind.  I do not like long quotes (outside sources).  I consider long quotes to be quotes that are longer than four or five lines. If you do use long quotes, then you must contextualize and/or explain everything in that quote.  I find that long quotes fill up space rather than help make a convincing argument.

           If you have any questions about MLA citation format, 8th edition, you can always check the rules at the library, which has the latest books on MLA formatting.  I will always try to help you if you have any questions regarding MLA citation, but the library has information about all kinds of formatting and citation rules.

Rhetorical Strategies:

           You will be required to use certain types of rhetoric in your paper.  You will need to cite specific evidence from your outside sources.  You also need to build rhetorical strategies around your sources.  Listed below are some of the rhetorical issues that you need to address in your essay.

·             Evidence: I will be looking for expert testimony, eyewitness testimony, numerical data, and/or research data.  For example, even if you want to argue about video games being a new art form, you can still quote academics from peer reviewed journals.  You can also quote from interviews with gamers or game designers and present them as eyewitnesses and experts.

·             Logos and Ethos: you need to figure out what sort of appeal to use in your paper. Will you be incorporating a logical or ethical appeal around your sources, or will you use some sort of combination of appeals?  How can you form a strong appeal along with your sources?  In addition,

BASIC REQUIREMENTS:

The essay must be typed and double-spaced and the font should be no larger than a 12 point font.  Please follow all MLA (8th edition) formatting rules, and please be aware that this essay must be in 3rd Person POV only.

The essay must be at least six full pages plus one “Works Cited” page.  This length requirement will be strictly enforced.  If you turn in something less than six full pages, at least 8% points will be deducted from your grade.

You must use at least four outside sources for your paper, and I really prefer electronic or online sources.  If your sources from the Mt. SAC library databases, then I will not questions the credibility of your sources. However, any online source directly taken from the internet will be closely examined, and they must be credible. Please follow MLA citation rules (8th edition).  This includes both in-text citation (body paragraphs) and “Works Cited” page.

THIS RESEARCH PAPER WILL BE DUE MONDAY, JULY 31ST.  PLEASE REFER TO THE SYLLABUS FOR INFORMATION ON THE LATE PAPER POLICY ON THE RESEARCH PAPER.  PLEASE KEEP IN MIND THAT I WILL TURN IN GRADES BY TUESDAY, AUGUST 5TH (8/5/17).

[lhight1-eng1c-summer2017]

ENG 1C

Hight

ESSAY #3: SUPPORTING OR REFUTING NATHAN JURGENSON'S THESIS WITH AN APPLICATION OF RHETORIC AND OUTSIDE SOURCES

(IN-CLASS ASSIGNMENT SCHEDULED FOR 7/20/17)

           For this essay assignment, you will be required to support or refute Nathan Jurgenson’s thesis in his essay, “The IRL Fetish” by applying evidence from outside sources (I will provide these sources), and your own rhetoric, particularly your own logos and ethos.  In other words, you can either agree or disagree (completely or partially) with Jurgenson’s argument.  However, you need to prove your response to Jurgenson’s argument by presenting evidence from the outside sources that I will provide and building a specific appeal—logos or ethos—off of the evidence.

           How you structure your introduction will be up to you.  Nonetheless, you will be required to explain Jurgenson’s thesis, and your thesis statement must state whether or not the author has a strong or weak thesis.  In addition, you should also briefly explain why his argument is strong or weak.  Does his thesis and essay seem more like unsubstantiated opinion?  Does his thesis and essay make no sense?  Why or why not?  Does he simply dismiss his opponents’ arguments against his thesis?  Is he just being a contrarian and going against a popular position about technology rather than making a convincing argument?  Why or why not?

           Here’s what I’m looking for in your body paragraphs: what specific claims does Jurgenson make in his argument?  Please note: you will have to quote or paraphrase his claims from his essay. Does he make sound claims that create a convincing argument?  What evidence can you cite from the outside sources?  Please keep in mind the four types of evidence: expert testimony, eyewitness testimony, numerical data, and research data.  Does this evidence support or refute Jurgenson’s argument?  What sort of appeal can you build off of your evidence?  For example, does the research data that you want to use make for a logical (logos) argument or an ethical (ethos) one?

           I will provide a sample paper that you can use as a model.  Along with the sample paper, you can bring in an outline or notes in preparation for your essay, but you must attach them to your essay before turning it in.  You cannot have anything pre-written (no fully formed sentences or paragraphs).  You must write your essay during the class session.  Additionally, you cannot write on a laptop, so your essay must be hand-written.

BASIC REQUIREMENTS:

Please bring in college-ruled lined paper; a blue examination book is not necessary.  I will only accept black or blue ink.  You can either print or write in cursive as long as your writing is legible.  Please be aware that this essay must be hand-written.

Since you will be quoting or paraphrasing from outside sources, you will need to make in-text parenthetical citations in your essay. However, you do not have to create a “Works Cited” page because I have copies of the outside sources.

Please write your name, my name, English 1C, and the due date in the upper left-hand corner of the essay.

Please double space as you write your essay.

 You should bring your textbook to class on the day of the in-class essay because you should quote or paraphrase certain passages from Jurgenson's essay.  In addition, you should bring your copy of this prompt and any notes and outlines. Furthermore, you can bring your copy of the sample paper.

There is no specific page requirement for this essay assignment.  However, your essay should be at least five or six paragraphs, so the minimum requirement is one introduction, at least three to four body paragraphs, and one conclusion.

This essay is scheduled for Thursday, July 20th.  You will have the entire class period to complete this in-class assignment. Please note: if you do not show up on Thursday, 7/20, you will not be allowed to write your in-class essay on another re-scheduled date unless you provide a written excuse such as a doctor’s note.

[lhight1-eng1c-summer2017]

FRIENDLY REMINDER:

There will be no class tomorrow (Tuesday - 7/18).  I will see you all this coming Wednesday (7/19).

[lhight1-eng1c-summer2017]

HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT (DUE 7/19):

ENG 1C

Hight

FIGURING OUT THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN NATHAN JURGENSON’S THESIS AND EVIDENCE

1.      If Jurgenson argues that people worry too much about how people are disconnected from their “real” or offline lives, what source—out of the four outside sources handed out in class—provides the best evidence to support or weaken his point about the online versus offline fallacy? Why?

2.      If Jurgenson is arguing that people make too much of a big deal about being offline and that people fetishize offline life, then do any of the sources provide strong evidence to support or weaken his claim about this obsession of offline life? If so, what sort of evidence can prove or disprove his claim and why?  If not, when what sort of evidence is needed to prove or disprove his claim?

3.      Should people try to maintain a hard division between their online and offline lives, or should people accept the fact that their online and offline lives are intimately intertwined?  Why?  Is Jurgenson encouraging people to go online more, or is he making a different argument about online/offline lives?  Why? Do any of the outside sources provided offer any hope that being online is a good thing or at least not a bad thing? Why or why not?

[lhight1-eng1c-summer2017]

HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT (DUE 7/17):

Please read “The IRL Fetish” by Nathan Jurgenson (pages 191-197 in Reading Pop Culture), and answer questions 1, 2, 3, and 5 which is listed under “For Discussion and Writing” (page 197).

[lhight1-eng1c-summer2017]

HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT (DUE 7/13/17):

ENG 1C

Hight

FIGURING OUT THE RELATIONSHIP BETWEEN DANAH BOYD’S THESIS AND EVIDENCE

1.      If Boyd is asking her readers to be more forgiving about what teenagers post on their social media accounts and how they present themselves, what source—out of three outside sources handed out in class—provides the best evidence to support or weaken her defense of teenagers and their online identities?  Why?

2.      If Boyd is arguing that context is more important than what people, especially teenagers, literally present on their social media accounts, then do any of the sources provide strong evidence to support or weaken her claim about context? If so, what sort of evidence can prove or disprove her claim and why?  If not, when what sort of evidence is needed to prove or disprove her claim?

3.      Should people try to “manicure” their identities online, or should they “let it all hang out”?  Or is there a balance between these two options?  Does Boyd provide any solution or guidelines to help people, especially teenagers, manage their identities online?  Why or why not?  Do any of the outside sources provided offer any solution or guidelines?  Why or why not?

[lhight1-eng1c-summer2017]

ENG 1C

Hight

STUDY GUIDE FOR “IMPRESSION MANAGEMENT IN A NETWORKED SETTING”

Please read the essay (pages 122 – 127 in Reading Pop Culture), and please answer the questions below.  You should always keep in mind that your teacher is the dumbest person in the classroom, so she will not understand short and vague answers.  You can either hand-write your answers or type them up.  This homework assignment is due Wednesday (7/12/17).

1.      What is Erving Goffman’s “impression management” (122)?  Please explain what Danah Boyd describes as “what is given and what is given off” (122).  What is the difference between the two?

2.      Boyd also writes, “Whatever [teenagers are] trying to convey, they must first get a grasp of the situation and the boundaries of the context.  When contexts collapse or when information is taken out of context, teens can fail to make their intended impression” (123).  What does she mean, and how does her point in the quote above relate your answer to question #1?

3.      Boyd also claims that Goffman “also highlights ways in which individuals are part of broader collectives that convey impressions about the whole group” (123).  How can groups damage the individuals who are a part of this group?

4.      Boyd mentions an example of an African-American high school soccer athlete and his friend, Matthew.  What is the point of this example?  Does it prove what Boyd points out are the problems of impression management?  Why or why not?

5.      Boyd provides another example of another high schooler who had a picture of her holding a beer can publicly displayed at an assembly.  Why did she make a complaint with the American Civil Liberties Union (ACLU)? Does the author believe she had a legitimate complaint about her privacy?  Why or why not?  What about your response?  Did the police officer wrongfully and publically shame the young woman, or was the girl at fault?  Why or why not?

6.      Is Boyd defending teenagers’ right to post whatever they want on their social media accounts?  Is she arguing that teenagers need to be more careful about what they post online and who they accept as friends?  What is her thesis exactly?

[lhight1-eng1c-summer2017]

ENG 1C

Hight

ESSAY #2: EVALUATING CHUCK KLOSTERMAN'S THESIS THROUGH AN ANALYSIS OF THE FILM, SHAUN OF THE DEAD

(IN-CLASS ASSIGNMENT SCHEDULED FOR 7/11/17)

           For this essay assignment, you will be required to evaluate the effectiveness of Chuck Klosterman’s thesis in his essay, “My Zombie, Myself: Why Modern Life Feels Rather Undead” by applying your analysis of Shaun of the Dead. The purpose is to explain whether or not your analysis of the film proves or disproves (completely or partially) Klosterman’s thesis.  

           Here’s what I’m looking for: what are the main arguments or points in Klosterman’s essay?  In addition, how do you understand the zombies based on their appearance, behavior, their ability to infect humans, and so forth?  What about Shaun, the protagonist, and his fellow survivors?  How do  understand these humans based on their personalities, strengths/weaknesses, motivations, actions, and so forth?  Furthermore, do you interpret the zombies as a metaphor for modern life, or do you see the zombies as a metaphor for something else? Do Shaun, Ed, and even the other human survivors capture the notion that life is nothing but a grind? Why or why not?  What's the connection between your answers to the previous questions and your observations of the zombies and the humans?

           When applying your analysis of the zombies and the human survivors, you need to demonstrate how and why your analysis proves or disproves Klosterman’s main argument.  Thus, you need to identify Klosterman’s thesis in your introduction and explain whether or not it holds up with your analysis of the characters, both undead and human, in Shaun of the Dead.  As for the body of your essay, you will break down Klosterman’s thesis and your analysis of the zombies and the human survivors and then evaluate the effectiveness of  Klosterman’s thesis when judging your analysis of these characters against his main points.

           I will provide a sample paper that evaluates Klosterman’s thesis with the application of the analysis of 28 Days Later, so you can use it as a model. However, you should not literally copy the sample paper when writing your essay where you simply copy passages from the sample paper and change the name of the author and the title of the film.          

Along with the sample paper, you can bring in an outline or notes in preparation for your essay, but you must attach them to your essay before turning it in.  You cannot have anything pre-written (no fully formed sentences or paragraphs).  You must write your essay during the class session.  Additionally, you cannot write on a laptop, so your essay must be hand-written.

BASIC REQUIREMENTS:

Please bring in college-ruled lined paper; a blue examination book is not necessary.  I will only accept black or blue ink.  You can either print or write in cursive as long as your writing is legible.  Please be aware that this essay must be hand-written.

Please write your name, my name, English 1C, and the due date in the upper left-hand corner of the essay.

Please double space as you write your essay.

You should bring your textbook to class on the day of the in-class essay because you should quote or paraphrase certain passages from Klosterman's essay.  In addition, you should bring your copy of this prompt and any notes and outlines. Furthermore, you can bring your copy of the sample paper.

There is no specific page requirement for this essay assignment.  However, your essay should be more than five paragraphs, which means you need to go beyond one introduction, three body paragraphs, and one conclusion.

This essay is scheduled for Tuesday, July 11th.  You will have the entire class period to complete this in-class assignment. Please note: if you do not show up on Tuesday, 7/11, you will not be allowed to write your in-class essay on another re-scheduled date unless you provide a written excuse such as a doctor’s note.

[lhight1-eng1c-summer2017]

HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT (DUE 7/10):

Anonymous Student

Professor Lisa Hight

English 1C

6 July 2017

Sample Paper: Pitting 28 Days Later Against Chuck Klosterman

           Klosterman’s conception of the zombie goes beyond creatures that serve to terrorize humans, even beyond the popular notion that zombies are a manifestation of people’s fears.  He begins his essay claiming that zombies are a stock value and a target-rich environment (422).  In other words, zombies are currently a hot product that humans want to consume.  If the critical thinkers who view 28 Days Later, for example, see the infected as products, they will be able to see how these creatures come in a variety of packages.  The film provides the zombie as a pack animal, hence the faceless horde sprinting through the tunnel in an attempt to overwhelm Jim and his fellow travelers. When the humans finish replacing the flat tire and take off, the manner in which the zombies slow down and finally stop suggests the manner in which lionesses finally give up the chase. Viewers can consume the zombie as a predator.  The other option is the individual zombie.  The boy zombie, for instance, allows viewers to take in this monster on an individual level. It becomes more than a mindless creature who attacks out of instinct.  Pinned down under Jim’s foot, it hisses, “I hate you.”  In fact, the way it lashes out at Jim makes it seem more like a child throwing an extreme temper tantrum rather than a monster trying to kill.  Here the viewers can consume the zombie has a mirror to humanity.  The boy zombie is uncomfortably close to an actual human with human intentions and emotions.

           After introducing the zombie as a product, Klosterman goes on to explain how killing zombies turns out to be the new metaphor for modern living. According to Klosterman, “the downside to any zombie attack is that the zombies will never stop coming; the principal downside to life is that you will never be finished with whatever” (424) you are doing.  Selena reinforces this zombie-as-an-unending grind metaphor because of her cynical attitude. After killing Mark and leaving Jim’s home, Selena sneers at Jim asking him if he wants them to “find a cure and save the world” or just simply “fall in love and fuck” (28 Days Later).   Her cynical rhetorical questions capture her resignation, her acceptance of constant brute survival.  She doesn’t see any need to try to find a cure and eradicate the zombie problem for good, so she assumes that the zombies will never stop coming (424).  Likewise, people who slog through their routines from day to day don’t see any need to break out their routines.  Thus, Selena becomes a mirror to their listless acceptance of never-ending tasks: wake up, work, study, eat, sleep, repeat, repeat, repeat.

           Nevertheless, Klosterman hints that people should not accept the zombie-killing existences when he says, “This is the zombies’ world, and we just live in it. But we can live better” (426).  If Selena’s cynical acceptance of the never-ending zombie horde shows how she just lives in the zombie world, then Jim’s decisive victory over Major West, his soldiers, and the zombies show a better alternative than mere acceptance.  Unlike the zombies, his rage empowers him and motivates him to lure the soldiers out to the blockade and distract them.  This strategy demonstrates how his anger and intelligence combine to make him a successful predator.  However, his ability to move and think like a zombie as he infiltrates the soldiers’ mansion demonstrates his adaptability and creative problem-solving skills at defeating the soldiers: become the monster they fear.  Plus, he uses the Mailer, the infected soldier, as a tool, another creative problem-solving skill.  Through all of this, he never loses his humanity, for his love and deep connection to both Selena and Hannah becomes his end-goal, his guiding light. He does all of the things he does for them.  He, therefore, embodies all of the strengths of each character, ranging from the cold logic of Major West to the kind compassion of Frank, Hannah’s father. Jim shows people how they can become heroes.  Like Jim, individuals today should use their creativity, their intelligence, and their humanity to break out of their routines, to step out of their comfort zones.

           Unfortunately, Klosterman has left out one key issue in his thesis.  Though his points about zombies and zombie killing does reflect modern living, he does not address the issue of the viral nature of zombies.  Like 28 Days Later, many zombie narratives rely on the virus as the origin for zombie epidemics.  However, 28 Days Later cleverly demonstrate the complex and sophisticated nature of a virus. It is not an animal, but it can react to and control animals.  The film gives viewers an intriguing puzzle over what exactly the virus does to infected humans.  Mailer, the infected soldier, is the perfect example of this puzzle.  He sounds and acts like a typical zombie, growling and lashing out at Major West and Jim, yet he also acts like a human.  Lying on the ground, he reaches out to Jim as if he is asking for help in an attempt to grab him and bite him.  On the one hand, this scene implies that there are glimmers of the real, human Mailer who momentarily breaks out of his zombie state.  On the other hand, one can argue that the virus is actually controlling Mailer and forcing him to mimic human emotion and action. Logically, a virus’ purpose to spread and infect other human hosts.  Therefore, getting the host to trick humans by making its host seem human makes sense. Sadly, Klosterman does not even touch upon the zombie as a virus concept.  One is left to wonder how that fits into Klosterman’s thesis.  

Homework Assignment:

You may have noticed that the essay above only has four body paragraphs, so you need to add an introduction and a conclusion that will fit with these body paragraphs.  For this exercise, you need to write (on a separate piece of paper) an introduction and a conclusion.  You need to explain Chuck Klosterman’s thesis in the introduction.  As for your thesis statement, you need to explain how 28 Days Later supports his thesis but still fails to address the concept of virus that creates the zombies.  Please re-state your thesis statement in your conclusion.  You can either write or type up your introduction and conclusion (on a separate piece of paper).  This assignment is due Monday, 7/10/17.

[lhight1-eng1c-summer2017]

ENG 1C

Hight

HOMEWORK ASSIGNMENT: APPLYING 28 DAYS LATER TO KLOSTERMAN’S THESIS

Please answer the questions below.  I encourage you to utilize the notes that you have taken in class especially during discussion.  They should help you figure out your answers.  In addition, you should always keep in mind that your teacher is the dumbest person in the classroom, so she will not understand short and vague answers.  You can either hand-write your answers or type them up.  This homework assignment is due Thursday (7/6/17).

1.      What is Klosterman’s thesis in “My Zombie, Myself…”? Please explain his argument in one or two sentences.

2.      Do the zombies in 28 Days Later reinforce Klosterman’s thesis?  What particular claim does Klosterman make about zombies?  What scenes from the film best prove or disprove Klosterman’s claim and overall thesis? Why?

3.      What particular claim does Klosterman make about modern life and its connection to killing zombies?  Does 28 Days Later reinforce this claim?  What scenes and characters (not the zombies) from the film prove or disprove Klosterman’s claim and overall thesis? Why?

4.      What other issues besides modern life becoming a zombie apocalypse does the film bring up?  Why?  For example, does the film promote or discourage a sort of Social Darwinist mindset? In other words, do certain characters survive because they are somehow better than the rest of the humans who had succumbed to the zombie horde?  Or does the film convey a sort of collective fear of terrorism, prejudice, or other negative aspect of our society that threatens our safety and security?  What scenes and/or characters reinforce such issues and why?

[lhight1-eng1c-summer2017]

ENG 1C

Hight

STUDY GUIDE FOR “MY ZOMBIE, MYSELF: WHY MODERN LIFE FEELS RATHER UNDEAD”

Please read the essay (pages 422 – 426 in Reading Pop Culture), and please answer the questions below.  You should always keep in mind that your teacher is the dumbest person in the classroom, so she will not understand short and vague answers.  You can either hand-write your answers or type them up.  This homework assignment is due Wednesday (7/5/17).

1.      How does Klosterman describe zombies?  What is his point when he claims that “zombies are just so easy to kill” (423)?

2.      Klosterman argues that the zombie might be becoming an entirely new metaphor for audiences today (423)?  What is this new metaphor?  How does it explain contemporary life today according to the author?

3.      What is Klosterman’s point when he claims that “battling zombies is like battling anything…or everything” (425)?  How does this point help explain the zombie as a new metaphor?

4.      At the end of his essay, Klosterman states, “This is the zombies’ world, and we just live in it.  But we can live better” (426).  What is his point?  Is he making an argument against the new zombie metaphor?  Why or why not?